Telephone dial recording device



Aug. 15, 1950 w. J. BENNIS 2,518,

TELEPHONE DIAL RECORDING DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1947 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 f I l worm-pp r ucur 44 NEON uenr TEL LINE YOLTAGEQJNM LINE TEST f. f i

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Aug. 15, 1950 w. J. BENNIS TELEPHGNE DIAL RECORDING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 20, 1947 Patented Aug. 15. 1950 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 4 Claims.

My invention relates to a telephone dial recording device which records through perforations on a paper tape telephone numbers which have been dialed on a telephone line which is under surveillance.

Among the objects of my invention are to provide a device which can be attached to a telephone line at any point and which will keep an accurate and unmistakable record of all numbers which are dialed on the line; to provide such a device in which neither the user of the telephone, nor the central operator is aware of the connection or operation of my device; to provide such a device in which the numbers dialed are accurately and permanently recorded on a strip of paper tape; to provide such a device which may also be used for listening to or recording conversations which take place over the telephone line, and to provide such a device which is efiicient in operation and economical in manufacture and use.

My invention also comprises such other objects, advantages and capabilities as will later more fully appear, and which are inherently possessed by my invention.

While I have shown in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment of my invention, yet it is understood that the same is susceptible of modification and change without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a front elevational View of my device; Fig. 2 is a front elevational view of my paper feeding and perforating assembly; Fig. 3 is a detailed sectional view of the rear of my perforating assembly; Fig. 4 is a top plan View of my paper feeding and perforating assembly; Fig. 5 is a schematic circuit diagram of my device and Fig. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative perforating device.

A preferred. embodiment of my invention comprises a hollow rectangular carrying case It], in which are housed all of the electrical and mechanical components of my device. The top of carrying case I is provided with a leather carrying handle II and has on one side a hinged removable front cover l2, which is held closed by fasteners l3 and I4. Slidably mounted in carrying case ID and held therein by screws or other suitable means is chassis l5. Chassis l comprises a front panel [6 on which are mounted the controls and tape supply for operation of my device, and has on one side an electrical section IT on which are mounted all of the electrical components, and on the other side a mechanical section l8 on which are mounted all of the mechanical components of my device.

Stored within carrying case It above and behind mechanical section M are two electrical cords of conventional type which are not shown in the drawings. One of the cords connects my device to a line supply of 110 volt alternating current. The other cord is approximately 10 feet long and has at one end a pair of clamps adapted to establish connection with the two wires of a telephone line. The other end of this cord has a plug which is adapted to fit within socket i9 of my device.

Referring now to the schematic circuit diagram, Fig. 5, socket i9 appears in the upper left hand corner of the drawing. Socket [9 is mounted on front panel l6 and is marked Tel. Line. Through socket l9 signals are received from a selected telephone line which is under surveillance. In series with socket IQ is a polarity switch 2i] which is mounted on front panel I 6 and marked Polarity SW. Switch reverses the polarity of the input voltage if it does not match that of my device. Both input lines lead from polarity switch to condensers 2i and 22, which serve to block any indication of the attachment or use of my device from reaching the user of the telephone or central telephone operator. The incoming signal after passing condensers 2! and 22 reaches the primary of input transformer 23.

Across the secondary or" input transformer 23 appears the amplified signal voltage, which is connected to the control grids of a pair of amplifier tubes 24 and 25, preferably 65K? or 6S'J7 type, which are connected in parallel. The cathode bias of tubes 24 and 25 is controlled by a rheostat 26, which is an internally operated control mounted within electrical section l? of chassis l5.

Across the screen grids of tubes and 25 is connected 2. socket which is adapted to receive the plug of a conventional set of earphones. Socket 2? is mounted on front panel l6 and is marked Phones. In connection with socket 21 is rheostat 28, which is mounted on front panel [-5 and is marked Volume Control. Rheostat 28 controls the volume of output available at socket 27, which may be used for earphones or for a recording device.

The plates of tubes 24 and 25 are connected to a plate relay 29. Plate relay 29 closes when actuated by a signal from tubes 24 and 25, causing neon light 3!] to glow. Neon light 30 is mounted on front panel l5 and is marked Neon Light. Plate relay 29 also closes a circuit connecting the line voltage to a tape perforating solenoid 3|, causing the operation of a tape perforator, the

mechanical features of which will be explained later in the specification. Plate relay 29 also closes a circuit connecting the line voltage to a motor 32 through a time delay unit comprising a time delay relay 33 in parallel with a condenser 3d.

The input signals which result from operation of a dial mechanism comprise a series of pulses, the number of which correspond to the number dialed. These pulses are amplified and cause plate relay 29 to close with each pulse and then open until the next pulse arrives. Accordingly,

tape perforator solenoid BI and. neon light 59 op erate in pulses. Motor 32, however, iskept in. continuous operation during and'f'or a short'time after the completion of the input signalpulses' by reason of the charging of condenser 3.5, which dis.- charges through time delay rel'ayiit and holds closed the line voltage circuit leading to motor 32.-

Mounted on front panel H3 is a test switch 35 marked Paper Feeder, which is normally held open by a spring. When held closed by the user of my device, switch 35 causes. motor 32 to operate. Switch 35 is used onl when a new roll of paper tape is inserted in my device.

My device is adapted. to operate on 1-10 volt alternating current. Mounted on front panel I6 are fuse 35 and toggle switch 31 marked A. C. Sw., which are onopposite sides of the line. Chassis i is separated from ground by condenser as, providing a floating ground for my device. The heaters of amplifier tubes 24 and are in series with the heater of a" power tube 39, which is preferably 2526, and with ballast tube 40-which is preferably a KSOB. Also in this circuit is an indicator light 4!, which i mounted on. front panel b6, marked Pilot Light, and which glows through a green glass cover when toggle switch 3"! is turned on.

The cathode of power tube 39 is connected to a voltage divider 42. Mounted on front panel I6 is a rheostat 43 marked Voltage Control, which is part of voltage divider 42 and which controls the voltage on the screen grids and plates of tubes .2 3 and 25.

In series with the plate voltage of tubes 24 and 25, and mounted. on front panel I6 is a milliammeter M, which used'for controlling .the plate voltage. Mounted on front panel H5 and marked Line Test is testing switch 45, which opens the plate voltage circuit and tests. the polarity of the input signal voltage. If the polarity is correct, the indicator of meter 44' will move to the right, and if the: polarity i'sincorrect the indicator of meter 44- will move' to the left. If the polarity is incorrect, polarity switch as may be changed to correct the polarity of the input voltage.

Line test switch &5 and paper feeder switch 35 are normally in the position shown on the circuit diagram. They are held open by a spring and are closed onl when pressure by the operator holds the switch button in a depressedv position.

Referring now to the mechanical'operation of my device, mounted on the outside of front panel ll, on which is mounted. a roll 4'8 of paper tape 1 in width; The lower half'of' paper roll 48 is held; within paperhol'der 4 6.

To the left of paper holder 46 and mounted on the front of mechanical: section I 8 of'my'deyrcef is: the; paper feeding and perforating-assembly 49, which is normally concealed by a cover 50 attached by a pair of screws to pillars and 9|.

Paper feeding and perforating assembly 49 comprises an L shaped base 5|, which is attached by screws to the front of mechanical section i8. Mounted on base 5| by overlapping end brackets, soldering or other suitable means is a paper track 52 through which the end of the roll 43 of paper tape is passed. Track 52 is slightly wider than andis' provided with a Slot down the center ofits topportion. Mountedon the top of paper track 52 and extending through its open slot is a paper spring 53, which comprises a short piece of wire, which is held against the paper tape as it passes through paper track 52 and which serves to hold the paper down.

Near the opposit end of base 5| is a triangular opening 5E, which opening also extends through paper track 52. At the end of base Si is mounted a pair of rollers 55 and 56, between which the paper tapepasses; l tollers 55 and- 56are slightly more than in width. Roller 55hasa smooth surface and is mounted above the level of base St. The axis of roller 55is-attached to one endof a lever arm 57. A coil spring 58 exerts upward pressure on the opposite end of lever arm 51, which pivots. on an attachment to the front of mechanical section Hl-andexerts downward. pressure on the a-x-islof roller 55'. l

Roller 56 has a rough surface and-is mounted beneaththe level of base 5L 7 Itis' mounted on a shaft15, which is geared tomotor 32. Motor 32- is contained within the interior of mechanical section 1-8; The rouglr surface ofroller 56' is adapted to-drive the paper tape through the paper feeding andperforating assemblyfiS:

Beyond-rollers 55 and 56 is a small L shaped paper outlet: 59-, which is attached to the face of mechanicalsection' I 8." Paper outlet 55% has a flat surface and a saw-toothedaend whichpro'rvides a jagged'surfa-ce for tearing the paper tape after it haspassect through mydev ice.=

Mounted above the triangular" opening 511' in base 5| and paper track 52 is a perforator blade 60, which-has at one" end a triangular pointfil. Blade Gil-* is; pivotally: mounted by. means of a screw 62-to-a perforator arm-632: The: top' edge of perforator arm lfie; is ;.pr'.oyided: witln a pair of outwardly extending bracket's' 6t and 65', -wh ich control the. maximum movement? ofi perforator blade 60. Y i

Mounted between perforator: blade 60- and paper' track: 52Fisia; small rolling pivot 65; which is rotatably mounted onascrew' 81 attached tothe face ofimechan-icalrsection 18-; The lower portion of rolling pivot 66 exerts downward pressure nearthe base of paper. spring 53.

The rear bottom edge' of' perforator blad'e'li'fi contacts rolling pivot 56 and is normally held there by a spring-6d. One end of spring 6-8 is attached to the end'of p'erforat'or blade-Wand the other end winds around spring hol'd'er 6 9, which: is: attached to the-end of perforat'or arm 53.

Peri-orator arm fie-is 'mounted onshaft l fland moves Withthe rotation of said shaft. Shaft Hi extends into theinterior of mechanical'secti'on t8; where is attached to solenoid arm 71-. Shaft 'l fl serves as apivot for solenoid arm 'H", which is attached near one end-to a solenoid-core 1121 01 tape perforation solenoid 312 The other end' of solenoi d arm 1-"! is attached toa coil" spring F3 Coil spring T3 holds itsend of "solenoid arm 14:" down; so" that the opposite end-is heldup against a rubber stop ember- 14; which mounted on the inside of the face of mechanical section [8.

Solenoid core 12 is normally held in an upward position. When tape perforation solenoid 3| is actuated, solenoid arm H is drawn downward into the interior of solenoid 3|. This pulls solenoid core 12 downward against the pressure of coil spring 73, causing shaft 10 to rotate.

The rotation of shaft 10 causes perforator arm 63 to move downward. The pressure of bracket 64 causes perforator blade 60 to pivot on screw 62 and rolling pivot 66, causing the triangular point SI of perforator blade 60 to move downwardly through opening 54 in base and paper track 52. This results in punching a triangular hole in the paper tape which is held within paper track 52.

When solenoid core 12 is released, coil spring 13 and spring 68 cause the perforating mechanism to return to its normal position. The perforating action takes place during the pulses of incoming signal and is a sudden and sharp punching action.

Within mechanical section l8, beside solenoid 3! is motor 32. The shaft of motor 32 drives a series of 3 gears, finally driving shaft 75, which extends through the front of mechanical section E8 and on which roller 56 is mounted.

In operation, my device is connected to a suitable source of 110 volt alternating current at any outlet near where the telephone line under surveillance is available. My device is turned on by moving switch 31 to the on position, at which time pilot light 4! should glow. A test dial may be used to check the plate voltage. test dial is in operation, meter 44 should read between 4 and 5 ma. Rheostat 43, which is marked Voltage Control is used to regulate the voltage.

Connection is then made with the two wires of the telephone line through the use of the cord which is furnished with my device. The signal from the telephone line enters my device at socket l9. Its polarity should be checked through the use of line test switch 45 and changed through the use of polarity switch 20, if necessary.

When a number is dialed on the telephone line with which connection has been made, the input signal comprises a series of pulses for each number which is dialed. These pulses enter at socket l9, are amplified by transformer 23 and tubes 24 and 25 and operate plate relay 29. The opening and closing of plate relay 29 causes solenoid 3| to set into operation the perforating mechanism described above, resulting in the punching of a series of triangular holes in the paper tape by triangular point El of perforator 'blade 60. Motor 32, due to time delay relay 33 and condenser 34, remains in operation during and for a short time after the dialing of each number. Motor 32 drives shaft 15, which causes roller 56 to turn. The rough edge of roller 56 contacts the paper, which is held between rollers 55 and 56, and causes the paper to move.

The paper tape is thereby caused to move through paper track 52 at a constant rate of speed, while the contact of time delay relay 33 is closed so that the holes punched by triangular point 6! are spaced approximately A" apart. The holes of each number are separated from those of the next number due to the discharge of condenser 34 through time delay relay 33, which causes motor 32 to operate and move the paper tape for a short time after the dial signal has ceased.

While the It should be noted that due to the shape of triangular point 6| it is impossible for the user to reverse the order in which the holes have been punched and thus reverse the telephone number.

While my device is accurately and unmistakably transcribing on the paper tape the numbers dialed, socket 2! may be used to listen to the conversation or to record it for future use.

Instead of the perforating mechanism described above, I may use a perforator comprising a U-shaped body member 16 and a punch 11 extending through its arms, said punch having a triangular point 18. A pin 19 extends through upper arm of body member 16 and through punch 11 to prevent punch 1'! from rotating. A second pin extends through punch 11 and holds a washer 8| surrounding punch 11 between the arms of body member 16. Between washer 8| and the opposite arm of body member 16 is a coil spring 82 which surrounds punch 11. Coil spring 82 holds punch I? normally in upward position. A portion of punch 7'! extends above the top of the upper arm of body member 16 and is adapted to be depressed by the operation of solenoid 3! to effect the punching action.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. A telephone dial recording device adapted to receive a pulsed signal from a selected telephone line and comprising means for amplifying said pulsed signal, a plate relay operated by said amplified pulsed signal, said plate relay closing circuits leading to a perforator and a motor, said motor adapted to move paper tape past said perforator, said perforator adapted to punch holes in said paper tape, a time delay circuit adapted to charge upon the closing of said plate relay and to discharge upon the opening of said plate relay to operate said motor after said plate relay has opened, so as to separate on the paper tape the holes punched by said perforator, so that said holes correspond to the pulsed signal from the telephone line, and means for connecting said device to a suitable source of electrical supply.

2. A telephone dial recording device comprising an input socket adapted to receive a pulsed signal from a selected telephone line, an input transformer and a pair of vacuum tube amplifiers adapted to amplify said signal, a plate relay operated by said amplified signal to close and open a pair of contacts, a time delay relay and condenser in parallel with each other and in series with one of the contacts of said plate relay, said condenser adapted to charge upon the closing of said plate relay contacts and discharge through said time delay relay upon the opening of said plate relay, said time delay relay adapted to close and open a contact, a tape perforation solenoid operated by the other contact opened and closed by said plate relay, a perforator attached to and operated by said solenoid, a motor in series with the contact closed and opened by said time delay relay, a shaft driven by said motor, a pair of rollers, one of said rollers attached to said shaft, a paper track mounted beneath said perforator adjacent said rollers, and a roll of paper tape, said paper tape adapted to be driven through said paper track past said perforator by said rollers, the closing of said plate relay adapted to operate said solenoid, perforator and motor and to charge said condenser, said condenser adapted upon the opening of said plate relay to discharge through said time delay relay to hold said time delay relay contact closed and operate said motor after said plate relay has been opened to continue the movement of said paper tape past said perforator, and

ineansior connecting said dQVgiGBtOlfiaSllit8b1B source of: electrical, supply;

3.- A telephone .dial- @recordingydevice; comprise ing, an? inputsocket adapted-to receiver apulsedr signal from a. selected; telephoneelineo a: vacuum tube amplifier stage adaptedto; amplify-said; siganal, aplate relay operated by-the pulses; ofosaidi amplified signal v tolc-closeaepair of cenbactstgazz time delay circuit in SGIiBS -With;"Che -001 1 43 ,Of said plate relay, said time delay-circnitl-comprising a time delay relay and condenser: intparallelp said time'delay relay adapted to CIOSQ'Q contact? upon the closingof contacts by SBIid=QIQ$QrT618JI said condenser-adapted to charge-upon the QIQS-s ing' ofsaid plate relay 1 and'to; discharge: through and :hold briefly: closed :the,-:contaot;fqfz saiditimadelay relay upon the openingzxof saidplate relay; a motor in series; with saidycontactaofysaid time; delay relay and adapted to operate 'uponthe,closr ing' of said contact otpsaid ti me;:de1'ay-;re1ay, a:

perforator in series withthe-other-contact: of said plate; relay, said-perforator; adapted to operate upon the closing of contactsbylsaid.plate-relay, a strip of paperytape-,-sai dpaper tape adapted to be moved-longitudinally:pastsaid perforatorv by said. motor and adapted-to bepunched by said perforator, theperforations; in said? paper: tape toeo eni: and 01QS @-a:= contact; a tape n rfierator solenoid energized upon the closing of therother: contact ofrsaidsf plate relay; said JsolenOida-hav-mg a' core normally: held- 1 wan pw rd n i ionaan l:

adaptedatoi bezplllledq downwardlyvwhen; saidi sole-w noidz is energized, an arm-at ache o aid are and adapted to; mowe -therewith, said: arm: pinotally attached adjacent one: end to a: shaf t said shaft adapted to berotatedupon the :mcvement .of

mrsaidl armyaperforator arm pivotallyattached ad jaoent. one end toisaid shaft, said-perfcratoriarm: havingza, perforat-orblade withamoint; spa-id perfoa rator arm and :blade adapted to be; moved down wardly 'upon '2 the ener'gization: of 1 said solenoid;

15;: amoton adapted to; be operated upon the close- 5, driven; hl'ough-i'saidpaper track past said perfoa constituting-a record of-the pulsed signals-re ceived by said .clevioe and means, for connecting: said deviceto a suitable-source of;electrical sup; ply:

ing an. input socket 'adapted to receive a+pulsed signal from a telephone line; an; input transformer and a pair 1 of vacuumtubesamplifiers; adapted to be operated. by said amplified signal to open and closev a pair of contacts, a time delay relay and condenser in. parallel .withteachothen anddn series Withoneof, theoontactsof said plate-re1ay;= said condenser adapted to charge (upon: the-closiing ,of said plate relay contacts; and-to discharge through said time delay .relay I upon the; opening? of said/contacts, said? time-delay; relay adapted;

4.. A telephone dial recording device comprise" ratorgblade .by-,-the rotation: ofthe-rollerattached to said motor shafit? and: means for connecting?- said device to;a;-suitable-"sourceroflelectricalasup p1y',-said device adapted to.recordupomsaidipaper tape. a: series ofwseparatedz'isets. ofperforations; identical w ith the: pulsed; signals: received from; the selected telephonealine. r

' WILLIAMsJ; BENNiS;

REEERENEGES GITEH The following references 'are" of recordin the" file of this patent 3 UNITED STATES PATENTS Number" Name Date 1,194,378:- Goodrurn t Aug: 15,; 1916: 1;, 1,-9 6,-855r G0odrum-- .v Sept.;- 5,,-19,-1j6; 1,795',656'-. Massonneau v i o- Mar;- I0, 1931", 

